'Zombie Deer' Virus Detected in Yellowstone Park, USA, Experts Warn: It may Infect Humans

In November, a carcass of a deer in Yellowstone Park reportedly tested positive for a highly contagious prion, a disease that affects the host's brain and nervous system, causing the deer to lose weight, fall, and experience lethargy and neurological symptoms. Some call it "zombie deer" disease. The virus has been found in deer in North America, Canada, Norway and South Korea.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "zombie deer" disease is a type of chronic wasting disease (CWD) caused by prions that can affect deer, reindeer, sika deer, moose, elk and other animals. However, some animal studies suggest that CWD poses a risk to certain types of nonhuman primates, such as monkeys, because these animals eat meat from animals infected with the virus or come into contact with the brains, body fluids, etc. of infected deer. Such studies have raised concerns about the risk of human-to-human transmission of the virus.

Fox News reported that some epidemiologists believe that the absence of "human-to-human" cases does not mean that this will not happen. Epidemiologist Anderson said there is currently no known way to eradicate the virus simply and effectively.

According to the British Guardian report, the Public Wildlife Alliance estimated in 2017 that approximately 7,000 to 15,000 animals infected with CWD are unintentionally eaten by people every year, and this number is estimated to be growing at an annual rate of 20%. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, CWD is currently present in 32 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces.

With hunting season approaching, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly recommends that people test hunted animals before eating them and should not eat meat from cervids showing symptoms of disease.